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Installed an extra O-ring inside the oil filter

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by anon_prius, Dec 2, 2019.

  1. anon_prius

    anon_prius Junior Member

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    So I bought these supposedly genuine filters off of eBay. Just did my first oil change and I may have goofed...

    [​IMG]
    As you can see, the filters come with two O-rings (and some weird plastic piece (not sure what that's for). All of the videos I watched showed how to change the larger O-ring, and I had no problem with that. But I never remembered reading about the smaller O-ring. It fit perfectly over the interior piece that slides through the middle of the filter. Since I was without internet I couldn't consult anyone so I just slid it over the interior piece (it slid on perfectly into a small notch when it was all of the way in) and then slid on the filter and reinstalled the whole assembly.

    Basically the O-ring is just doing double duty as the clear rubber piece on the edge of the filter.

    Everything seemed to go together fine. Now that I have internet again I don't see anything about a smaller O-ring anywhere. Have a messed up royally or is it fine to just remove it during the next oil change?
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That's weird, I've only ever got the one (larger) O-ring. Here's the part number for Toyota filter I'm using:

    04152-YZZA6

    You're probably ok. Seems like the smaller O-ring is meant to push onto that inner piece. That the perforated metal tube right?

    If it's driving you nuts, removing the oil filter for a check or whatever, you'll only lose about 200 cc, what's hung up in the filter.
     
    anon_prius likes this.
  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    The first set of Toyota filters purchased didn't have the smaller "O" ring, or the plastic drainer.
    The 2nd batch had the 2nd "O" ring.
    WHY won't they include the drain plug seal???? WHY? WHY? WHYYYYYYYY????? :mad::confused::eek:(n)

    I don't remember which Toyota they are used on, maybe Corolla, Camry, and/or Avalon? Or for
    their trucks, but I did use them to change the oil. You have to press the plastic piece in to allow the oil to drain.
    I don't not believe they are used on the Prius.

    It's cheaper and faster to package a 1 box for all then separate ones I guess.
     
  4. anon_prius

    anon_prius Junior Member

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    Yes, the perforated tube. It was definitely designed for it. It even "set" into a notch at the base of the perforated tube. I'm not too worried about it since it just seemed to provide some extra sealing between the filter and the body of the oil filter (which is normally mediated by the clear silicone-like rings at the edges of the filters). I'm just confused as to whether or not it was needed at all (are the filters I received designed for it?).
     
  5. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Those are filters for the engine in the Scion iQ. The oil filter cap has a drain hole. You remove the tiny “cap” and that’s where the smaller one goes. The plastic piece depresses a valve in the hole to drain out some oil. It keeps from making it messy directly removing the large cap. The good news is that the filter is exactly the same size, the bad news is that the o-ring does not belong where you placed it.

    I’ve actually been using a high performance filter designed for the Prius in the iQ, so I kept the old tool, but just remove the large cap on my iQ because that little o-ring is like $2 at the dealer. I have to clean up a little mess when I do so, but the first time I used an iQ specific filter I did not insert the tool so kind of wasted the effort, oil did not drain out and I ended up with a mess.
    View attachment 182805
     
  6. anon_prius

    anon_prius Junior Member

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    Thanks for the extra info. I may remove it if I start to worry, otherwise I'll just take it out in 5k miles.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  7. spiralhelix

    spiralhelix Active Member

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    Thanks for asking about this. I bought the 10 pack of filters (with drain plug washer gaskets) that was posted not to long ago and they all came with that plastic tube. It made me think I missed something for the last couple years changing the oil when I saw those in the boxes.

    So with that...any scion owners lurking that want a handful of o-rings and drain tube thingies?? ;)


    -Spiral
     
  8. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    That would be me. How much you want? The tool's honestly reusable (I think) but not the o-ring...

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  9. anon_prius

    anon_prius Junior Member

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    Wow, I just looked them up and they have an MSRP of $5.46, that's crazy! I can't believe it makes sense for them to just throw these in generic "Prius" oil-change kits, I would be selling them separately.

    I've got 4 left from my 5 pack (minus the one I accidentally installed in the OP) I can send you for $10. Basically, just to cover my time and shipping. PM me if you're interested and I'll send my PayPal.
     
  10. RMB

    RMB Senior Member

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    My Sienna oil filter set is like that, 2 o-rings and a plastic tool, 04152-YZZA1. Have you double check to see if you have received the correct filters?
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  11. Alain D

    Alain D Junior Member

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    thanks for the reply ! I too wasn't sure where that second small o-ring would go and started doing the same thing as the OP - but the filter already has a rubbery end, so it didn't make sense... I'll keep those extra o-ring for something...
     
    jzchen likes this.